World Trade Organization and the challenges of regional integration in West Africa; 2011-2020

Abstract

The study examined the link between World Trade Organization trade policies and challenge of regional integration in West Africa from 2011-2020. Specifically, the study investigated whether non-discriminatory principles of WTO have influenced trade policies of West Africa state between 2011-2020; whether trade liberalization policy of African states in line with WTO policies has strengthened intra-regional trade in West Africa between 2011-2020; and finally, whether WTO policy on Sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures has undermined external revenue earning capacity of West African states between 2011-2020. Theory of Unequal trade was used for the study. This study adopted Expo-facto design and documentary method of data collection based on the analysis of documents/ materials were used to generate further data and to analyze the data so generated. Findings revealed that WTO policies have brought about several challenges to West African integration as they have failed to provide adequate domestic protection against foreign competition. It was recommended among others that West African states should review the implementation of some of the WTO basic principles/policies, especially some of them that are detrimental to their interest since industrialised countries have always thwarted WTO rules when it is not in their interest while the WTO should revise or modify its principles/policies decision-making procedure since the existing system is not sustainable.